Timeless style + panache

I had the privilege of meeting Barbara Louis and visiting her amazing apartment many moons ago. In the video below, she gives Stylelikeu a tour of her closets. Along the way, she bestows some great wisdom - Mix old with new, high-end with Zara! Dress for your mood and imagination! Highlight your best assets! And don't forget the long-term effects of very large, heavy earrings!

Barbara Louis for Stylelikeu.com from StyleLikeU on Vimeo.

YSL gold necklace and skirt, Zara Sweater

Blouse from Zara, Bob Mackie Skirt,

YSL necklace, done in the designer's favorite colors and presented to Barbara by Yves Saint Laurent himself.

I love this desk.

Top Image: Skirt by Betty & Joseph, friends of Barbara's Uncle, Yves Saint Laurent Sweater, Aerosoles Heels

(via BS) Buy the Stylelikeu book!

Bill Cunningham New York

I've been looking forward to seeing "Bill Cunningham New York" since January, and this weekend I saw it! I won't spoil a thing for those who haven't seen it yet, but I will say this - GO SEE IT. Then comment, email or call so that we can discuss it...

Playing at E Street Cinema in DC and in NYC.

Thanks A for the James Bond ticket pick up. You know I like to get to movies early!

Bill Cunningham New York Trailer from Gavin McWait on Vimeo.

Inside Out: A Global Art Project

This is something worth talking about. It's something we should kick start in D.C. and in cities all across the world. It's Inside Out: A Global Art Project, a call-to-action created by TED prize-winning artist JR.

I'll spare you my description and adoration by simply recommending that you read this GOOD article about the project and watch the video below. Together, they capture the project's purpose far more eloquently than I can.

Images (top to bottom): Kenya - JR covered 2,000 square meters and several trains with the residents' faces in Africa's Largest Slum / Cambodia - "28 Millimeter: Women" JR's project portraying the unseen and unempowered women of the world / London / TED Prize Winner JR & INSIDE OUT from TED Prize on Vimeo.

Friday satisfaction

We're overdue for a fashion and design post, but I can't resist sharing this early video of the The Rolling Stones. Seems like an appropriate Friday morning post.

The audio isn't great, but you'll totally get why this band shook the 60's music world. Mick Jagger jams out, dances like crazy and gives the camera some serious come hither looks (which include licking his lips?!? ... seriously). This was not the music that mothers wanted their daughters listening to, but it was/is just too good...

Happy Friday, all. I hope that the day flies by, and the weekend brings all kinds of good things.

Ads worth spreading

Last week, TED named ten winners for its first "Ads Worth Spreading" contest. TED curator Chris Anderson says of the ads: "We're seeking to reverse the trend of ads being aggressively forced on users. We want to nurture ads so good you choose to watch—and share. On TED.com, ads run after our talks, not before. As well as avoiding the annoyance of interruption, this positioning means they can run longer than the TV-standard 30-seconds. And that's the key. In 2-3 minutes, there's more time to tell a story, share an idea, make an authentic human connection. These winning ads, many of them long-form, powerfully demonstrate these strengths. We think they represent an exciting new way for companies to engage with the world in the internet age."

It's worth watching all ten. The one below is certainly one of the more serious ones, and it's striking proof that ads can be powerful tools in advocacy. Feel connected. Feel compelled to act.

(by Ogilvy Johannesburg via AA)

It's Friday. Turn up the funk.

As is my weekly custom, I'm blasting 70's funk this afternoon in anticipation of the weekend. I'm pretty happy that all things 70's seem to be coming back in style ...

Still, there's nothing quite like originals. Case in point: The music, fashion and dancing in this Soul Train Line Dance clip. So fun.

(Top image by Terry Richardson. Both images via this is glamorous)

Travel Itch - Live the language

EF - Live The Language - Beijing from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

EF - Live The Language - Paris from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

Completely charming videos that leave you thirsty for adventures in far off places. Very smart sponsorship by Education First. EF offers international education programs from students. Oh, to be studying abroad again ...

(c/o EM, the most adventurous girl I know.)

Elle Fanning: Rodarte's Muse

The MUCH anticipated film featuring Rodarte clothing and Elle Fanning. I won't bias you with my reactions just yet. I'm curious what you think...

Elle Fanning: Rodarte's Muse on Nowness.com.

Storm Up the Sky

"I would have written a shorter letter, but I didn't have the time." - Blaise Pascal

I use this quote frequently because I'm a firm believer that great writing and art is the product of creativity and smart editing. Nothing excites me more than a short story or film that, in only a matter of pages or minutes, manages to relay deep and complex elements of human experience.

"Storm Up the Sky" is a short film that does just that. It's a study of responsibility and love - religious, brotherly and masculine. You're pulled into the shoes of an older brother, and his story takes shape in brief conversations and glances.

I'm proud to know the writer and director, Jon Kauffman. He's a rising star and a wonderful guy. Jon has written and directed several award winning shorts and recently apprenticed with Darren Aronofsky on "Black Swan". "Storm Up the Sky", his latest project, has been featured at film festivals around the country and was recently accepted to the Washington D.C. Independent Film Festival. I can't wait to see it on the big screen!

Alright, I've gone on too long. WATCH "Storm Up the Sky" HERE and mark your calendars for the D.C. Independent Film Festival, March 3-13. I'll see you there!

(For the love of moxa doxa and Miss M)

The man. The legend.

Bill Cunningham has long understood that style lives and breathes On The Street. (I'm fairly sure that he was snapping photos of "street fashion" when The Sartorialist was still in diapers.)

He's a fashion v.i.p. in a simple blue smock, always armed with his camera and bike. In an industry that can be full of egos and put-downs, he's positive, humble and private. Basically if fashion were OZ, Bill would be Glenda the Good Witch.

If you haven't picked up on it already, I'm a huge, huge fan. So it looks like I'll be taking a trip to NYC in late March for the Film Forum.

Bill Cunningham New York Trailer from Gavin McWait on Vimeo. c/o BS

N.Y.C.

I'm spending the weekend in New York. Even in the cold with garbage piled up on the sidewalks, it's a pretty amazing place...

NYC - Mindrelic Timelapse from Mindrelic on Vimeo via Refinery29

Branded content done right

A wonderful story. A beautiful film. Really smart branded content, Intel.

(The Sartorialist c/o CK)

My home is my shoes

"Everything haven't got to be right, everything can come right when I'm dancing. My home is my shoes." - Will Gaines

Will Gaines was born in 1928 and grew up in Detroit before moving to England to tap dance aside some of the greatest names in jazz (Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Thelonious Monk and Sara Vaughan).

(My home is my shoes, Will from Debbie Anzalone on Vimeo.)

Music in motion

Maybe it's these cold winter nights that have me slowing down a bit and needing to ease into energetic melodies.

I've found myself revisiting this video in particular. I love Fleet Foxes' harmonies and the footage of Paris, but - more than anything - I wish I were one of the ladies standing against the wall in the final scene. Blue Ridge Mountain (song #2) is one of my favorites, and I imagine it sounded pretty incredible live, bouncing off the walls of that tall empty room.

Fleet Foxes - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Good message. Good cause.

I'm so happy to have stumbled upon these videos again today on Alkeemi.

They're two advocacy videos from GirlEffect, an organization that fights poverty by giving girls access to health care, education and economic empowerment. The first video presents a current and potential narrative for a girl's life in poverty. The second video goes a little broader by telling the story of a girl lifting her family and community out of poverty. Both have really powerful stories to tell as well as some fantastic art direction. And while I like them just the way they are, I'd love to see shorter, 60 second versions on TV.

A powerful tribute

This hauntingly beautiful video is photographer Nick Knight's tribute to the late Alexander McQueen. It debuted yesterday at the British Fashion Awards just as The Costume Institute plans for its McQueen retrospective.

The short video features models wearing McQueen's iconic designs, with both models and clothing moving to a song Bjork wrote specifically for the tribute. Its dark, powerful energy strikes a chord with any admirer of McQueen's unique creations.

(via Styleite)

To Lee, With Love, Nick - A Tribute to Alexander McQueen By Nick Knight from SHOWstudio on Vimeo.

Artist's studio

Artist Brian Donnelly (a.k.a. KAWS) talks art and relationships.

His work has always struck me as a little too bizarre, but KAWS' thoughtful demeanor makes me want to revisit his very punchy art.

(KAWS' newest book is available on Amazon)

Lullaby

Matthew Hemerlein "Luminescent Braid" Live in Studio from Dave Adams on Vimeo.

Brilliant (re) branding

I saw this ad while watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It caught by eye as the pilot was speaking, and I thought it might be an ad for the U.S. Army. Then, it cut to an older woman painting. "Okay, too old to be in the Army. Is this some kind of non-profit for empowering girls? But what non-profit could afford this prime-time ad spot?"

It wasn't until the fiftieth second of this sixty second spot that I saw a Barbie doll, and it's pretty subtle. The final frame is straight forward and clean. No pink. No frills. "Over 125 careers and counting. Barbie."

Pretty brilliant, I think.

Unfortunately, it's pretty difficult to find the ad online. In fact, my search first led me to the ad below (exactly the type of branding that Barbie is trying to move beyond - note final zoom in on Barbie as bride). So where's the "When I grow up" portion of the Mattel website? The profiles of successful women and their first Barbie dolls? The descriptions of Barbie sponsored scholarships and girls summer camps? Come on, Mattel! You're on to something here! I'd love to see more!

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. Until next time, a beautiful acoustic version of You've Got the Love by Florence and the Machine. This girl has got some pipes. Turn up the volume.

via Jessica Sutton